Bangladesh to initiate talks with India over river water sharing: Rizwana

Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said Bangladesh will soon take steps to hold negotiations with India over sharing of water of transboundary rivers. "The negotiations will be held after considering public opinion and the outcomes of the talks will be shared with the people," she said while speaking at a seminar titled "Bangladesh's Fair Share of Water in Shared Rivers," held at Pani Bhaban in the capital.

The seminar was arranged marking the World Rivers Day. Addressing as the chief guest, Rizwana said although the water sharing of international rivers is a complex issue, the exchange of essential information should not be political one. One country can want the rainfall data and location of structures in rivers and the data exchange can help prevent harm to lives and properties, she added.

Rizwana, also environment, forest and climate change adviser, said a country cannot go to the international court unilaterally on such issues but both nations must go to it. "Sharing rainfall data is a humanitarian issue. Necessary data should be given for saving lives. Bangladesh's claims will be made clearly and strongly," she said.

The adviser stressed protecting the country's internal rivers, describing those as living entities that must be collectively saved. Presided over by Mihir Biswas, convener of the World Rivers Day Celebration Council; and moderated by Md Alamgir Kabir, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA); the seminar was addressed, among others, by Md Ejaz, Director of the River and Delta Research Centre; Md Shahidul Islam, Professor of Geography and Environment at Dhaka University; and Shamsul Huda, Executive Director of the Association for Land Reform and Development. Researchers, environmentalists, and government officials participated in the seminar.